Monday, December 26, 2011

For a soldier who braved enemy bullets and was decorated with the nation’s second highest gallantry award, losing his life while merely standing on the roadside is a strange twist of fate.Brig Rattan Nath Sharma was killed after being allegedly hit by a speeding vehicle while he was waiting for a bus near Kharar, near here, yesterday. He succumbed to his injuries today while being taken to the PGIMER.On a complaint by his son-in-law, Gurpreet Singh, the Kharar police has registered a case of negligent driving against Pankaj, driver of the vehicle. A case under Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC, has been registered at the City Kharar police station.According to information, Brigadier Sharma belonged to Palampur and had come to Kharar for some property matter. He was knocked down by the vehicle yesterday and rushed to a local hospital. It was only after the police found a diary on his person containing the telephone number of a CSD in Palampur that his identity could be ascertained.He is survived by his wife, a son, who looks after the family estate in Palampur, and two daughters, both doctors. His daughter and son-in-law reached here at around midnight after the family was informed about the mishap.Brigadier Sharma was commissioned into the Punjab Regiment in August 1949, and decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for commanding a battalion of the Punjab Regiment in the Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. He had been tasked to capture a strong and fortified enemy post situated on a dominating feature. The then Lt-Col Sharma encouraged his men by his presence and courage to achieve the given task.His cremation is scheduled to take place with full military honours at his native place in Palampur on December 26.Service: Army Arm: Infantry Unit: 21 Punjab P. Number: IC-5270Birth: 23 Nov 1926 Medals: MVC, Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily, Date of Award: 10 Dec 1971 More Details Educational Institutions: Permanent Address: Vatika House District PalampurBundla Tea EstateHimachal Pradesh176061India

Friday, December 23, 2011

Parliament panel favours one rank-one pensionSays financial liability of Rs 3,000 cr a year incorrectVijay Mohan/TNSChandigarh, December 22Recommending the grant of one rank-one pension (OROP) to retired armed forces personnel, the Parliament’s Committee on Petitions has said that it is not convinced with the hurdles projected by the Ministry of Defence in implementing the proposal.Observing that the financial liability for implementing OROP is Rs 1,300 crore for 20110-12 "which is not a very big amount for a country of our size and economy and also considering the purpose for which it would be utilised", the committee said it is not convinced with the version of the Finance Ministry that implementing OROP would generate similar requests from civilian employees because the terms and conditions of service of the two are vastly different and much harsher and difficult for the military.The committee, in its report tabled in Rajya Sabha yesterday, also found to be incorrect, the financial liability of Rs 3,000 crore per annum put forth by the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare (DOEW) for OROP.Nixing financial, administrative and legal hurdles projected by the DOEW, the committee observed,” The defence services serve the nation with utmost devotion and selflessness but their demands are consistently being ignored, not by the heads of the Armed Forces, but by bureaucrats. It’s a typical example of bureaucratic apathy.” The Committee observed that the demands of veterans, including OROP, were included in the election manifestos of various parties but not given effect“The findings of the committee were appreciable and pro-veteran,” said Maj Navdeep Singh, a High Court lawyer dealing with service matters. “Even the legal difficulties expressed by DOEW have no legs to stand upon. It claimed that the Supreme Court had upheld the implementation of cut-off dates in pensionary matters in various cases. However, what DESW did not mention is the fact that there are many more decisions, including very recent ones, where cut-off dates have been deprecated,” he added. Further, the committee did not accept DOWS’ claims on legal issues and held that on the contrary.

As you are aware the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions accepted a Petition presented by Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament, on Grant of One Rank, One Pension to ex-servicemen and retired defence personnel.

The Petition Committee which held its hearings in May, 2011 has submitted its Report to Rajya Sabha today.

Please click here to read the copy of the Committee On Petitions Report on OROP.

Among others, the Petitions Committee has strongly recommended the Government should implement OROP at the earliest.

Friday, December 16, 2011

New Delhi: Forty years ago, when Lieutenant General AAK Niazi, commander of the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan, signed surrender before Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, India's Eastern Army Commander, it marked the end of our subcontinent's most decisive war. In fact, the definitive liberation war in modern world's military history.

Bangladesh was born but about 3,900 Indian soldiers died, 9,851 wounded and 93,000 Pakistani soldiers were taken Prisoners of War.

"Only two such surrenders have happened in the world, one in Leningrad and another one in Bangladesh. We saw token a surrender of arms by the Pakistani troops, laying down their arms and the Indian people picking them up as mark of surrender," said Air Commodore Mirza Ali.

As the new nation asserted its identity before the world, 1971 emerged as India's finest hour, sweeping away as it did with a master stroke the ravaging blunders of the 1962 India-China conflict.

Awami League's Mujibur Rahman, an India loyalist, became the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh. And pushed to the corner, Pakistan had to sign the dotted line of the Shimla Pact that laid down the peace principles that should govern Indo-Pak relations. The accord also converted the 1949 UN Ceasefire Line into the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan.

Last, but not the least, was the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who emerged an icon for leading the war as she did against world opinion, to prove a point in a way India militarily and diplomatically has never been able to recreate.

Going against the Nixon-Kissinger snubs from the White House, she was able to position the 1971 War as a war for justice, ultimately turning global opinion in her favour.

Aiding her was another stellar personality - Army Chief Sam Maneckshaw - holding his own and refusing Indira as he did to start the war in March 1971. He went forward in December only after ensuring our military had readied itself and the nationalist freedom fighters Mukti Bahini within Bangladesh.

Our current Army Chief General VK Singh fought that war as a Second Lieutenant."It was a perfect synergy that was obtained between the political leadership and the military as well the nation. We should not forget all this. I would give great amount of credit to our then Prime Minister. I don't think people have appreciated what she achieved. She was able to get a consensus, she was able to build a world opinion, she was able to ensure that despite our own economic hardships we were able to look after thousands and thousands refugees who had come, and she allowed the military a certain amount of freedom to plan their operations in the best possible manner. It was unmatched leadership. When we look at the military, we were able to work out in great detail what is to be done and I have great pride in saying that it was the best manoeuvre war in the military history of the world. Nowhere in the world have they ever executed a manoeuver war like this. In a short time, we were able to achieve tremendous amount. You don't have wars where you get 93,000 prisoners. You don't have wars where surrenders take place like this," said General Singh.

Exactly four decades later, in a reappraisal of that military campaign in New Delhi this week, the Indian Army funded think-tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies or CLAWS, acknowledged the decisive role Mukti Bahini played in that war.

Mukti Bahini was a hastily assembled force of Bangladeshi students, lawyers and ordinary nationalist citizens - both Muslims and Hindu - who fought alongside Indian military to create Bangladesh.

Is such a war possible in this day and time? Theoretically, yes, in conflict areas where there is large-scale discontent among local people.

"If you have genuine grievances, like Kurds of Baloch, you have areas where the population has reached a stage where they have totally delinked themselves from the state they are part of. If that sort of grievances exist, an external intervention can create, and would create a state," said Alok Bansal, a military scholar.

But people who fought the 1971 War, like Air Marshall Inamdar and General VK Singh, remain sceptical.

"Look at the kind of surveillance capabilities everyone have now. Given that, something like this happening again, I think it's very difficult," said Air Marshal S G Inamdar.

"It depends on circumstances. It depends on how thing would come up. It depends on what are the factors which would guide such kind of a movement coupled with the type of resistance. This is not just a victory which was stand alone. This was a victory along with our brothers in arms from Bangladesh. It was a combined effort and if all these factors were to combine then may be, yes," Indian Army Chief, General VK Singh said.

Those factors may never come together as decisively as in 1971, making a repeat of the spectacular victory almost impossible.

Forty years after their finest military victory, the Indian armed forces are in the midst of another phase of rapid modernisation to meet new-age challenges. And while the challenges still remain about the process of modernisation and its speed, the key question that perhaps confronts India is: Do we have a political leadership as strong as we had in 1971? And is the current political leadership capable of taking bold decision?Remembering the heroes of 1971 War

Capt Vikram BatraIn a time of war, he became the face of the young Indian soldier who fought ferociously and died fearlessly.click here for the Video clip of 1999 Kargil war

This day, 16th December, is militarily a significant date for the region. To fill up the vacuum in a very apposite space, I feel pleased today in announcing the release of the first issue of the ‘FORCES LAW GAZETTE’ – a free, non-commercial quarterly newsletter dealing with law & allied issues related to uniformed services of not just India but other democracies as well. Meant more for general reading than use in Courts, the Gazette would consist of three broad categories: (1) Law Related to Uniformed Services,(2) Developments & Miscellaneous, and (3) Contributions & Articles.

The Gazette would remain available through www.lawgazette.net for free download and distribution in pdf format. Of course, the link is also available on my blog Indian Military Info Bouquets and brickbats are welcome on the comments section on the FLG webpage. Readers are welcome to distribute and forward this email, and also the Gazette, freely and non-commercially without any inhibition or copyright concerns.I, the Editorial team and the contributors hope to effectively sustain the concept with the next issue due in March 2012. Contributions in the form of articles are welcome and may be sent to me by email for publication in future volumes.Thank You,Major Navdeep SinghAdvocate, High Court

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

There was never any doubt that the Committee will give a favorable verdict, it is rather unlikely that the GOI will even consider it at this juncture.

You will also recall that the President NFDC had made a presentation before this committee.

warm regards

Navy Foundation Delhi Charter

One Rank, One Pension

"SHOT IN THE ARM LIKELY FOR EX-SOLDIERS"

Ritu Sharma

Dec 15, 2011Express Buzz (Chennai) - [ Front Page ]

NEW DELHI : In a move that can bring joy to nearly 2.5 million retied soldiers, the Parliament Committee on Petitions is likely to favour their demand for 'One Rank, One Pension'.

The report, likely to be tabled in the Parliament next week, will be a vindication of the stand taken by the soldiers who have been running from pillar to post fighting for their rights.

Thousands of ex-servicemen and war veterans returned their gallantry medals protesting the decision of the Ministry of Defence not to grant 'One Rank, One Pension'. Soldiers have been demanding equal pension for personnel retiring from the same rank irrespective of their date of retirement. Persons reitiring before the pay commission cut-off date get less pension than those retiring after the date.

According to sources, the long pending demand has found support as the Committee on Petitions has been considering the petition submitted by Rajya Sabha M.P., Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar and 24 others in October 2010.

" The committee conducted a detailed hearing on the matter by inviting citizen groups, ex-servicemen and government representatives to depose and express their views on the issue. The committee completeed their hearing and the report will be presented during the winter session of Parliament ", sources added.

The petitioners in their argument had said that the demand of ex-servicemen may be considered on the lines of the pension for MPs, which is Rs. 20,000 for all first time members.

PIB Releases Ministry of Defence 12-December, 2011 14:34 IST One Rank-One Pension The gap between past pensioners and their youger equivalents retiring from the armed forces does not necessarily keeps widening with every successive pay commission. Over the years several improvements have been made in pension of past pensioners. The pension of past pensioners have revised in accordance with recommendation of each successive Pay Commission, as accepted by the Government. The Sixth Pay Commission had recommended fitment formula and modified parity for past pensioners, in order to reduce the gaps, which were accepted by the Government.Pension Improvement is an ongoing process and considerable improvements have been made in the pensions of armed forces personnel. The Group of Ministers (GoM) had in 2005 improved the pensionary benefits of PBORs. On the recommendations of PMO, a Committee was set up under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary in June, 2009 to look into the issue of `One Rank One Pension and other related matters. After considering all aspects of the matter, the Committee keeping in mind the spirit of the demand, suggested several measures to substantially improve pensionary benefits of Personnel Below Officer Rank (PBOR) and Commissioned Officers, which have been accepted by the Government and orders for implementation of all the recommendations have been issued. These are available at www.pcdapension.nic.in. This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Shri MM PallamRaju in a written reply to Dr.RajanSushantand others in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78436)One Rank One Pension

CSD Depots in Himachal Pradesh Government of Himachal Pradesh has requested this Ministry for setting up of a CSD Depot in the State in view of the number of Servicemen, Ex-servicemen and their families residing there.Land measuring approximately 188kanals had been offered by Himachal Pradesh Government in this regard. However, the same was not found to be suitable, since some of it Included khud/nallah which is prone to flooding during rainy season. It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the time likely to be taken for setting up the Depot at Una in view of the fact that the Government of Himachal Pradesh is yet to identify another piece of suitable land. Once a suitable alternate land is offered by the State Government the proposal will be considered depending upon availability of budget and manpower. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShriVirenderKashyap in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78428)

Sadbhavana Schemes of Army Projects under Sadbhavana scheme executed by the Army in Ladakh relate to infrastructure, community development, Health care, Human Resources Development, Education, Information Technology and National Integration Tour etc. Since 2009-10, the expenditure incurred is as under:-(Rupees In Crores)/ Year/ Amount Allotted/ Expenditure Incurred2009-10/ 6.85/ 6.852010-11/ 7.00/ 7.002011-12/ 7.00/ 3.34 (till date)These projects are undertaken in consultation / recommendations of village Sarpanches and district administration and are focused to supplement the requirements of the people in remote and inaccessible areas.This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to ShriHassan Khan in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78425)

Placement of IAF Personnel A Placement Fair was conducted at Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi on 15th & 16th October, 2011 by the Indian Air Force Placement Cell. A total of 2788 air warriors including 2671 airmen (2035 retired and 636 serving) and 117 officers (87 retired and 30 serving) participated in the event. A total of 38 companies participated in the fair.666 air warriors were shortlisted for placement during the fair. So far 93 confirmed placements have been reported to Indian Air Force Placement Cell. Such fairs are conducted as per the requirements of the Indian Air Force from time to time. This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri A. Ganeshamurthi in LokSabha today. PK/NN (Release ID :78427)

Monday, December 5, 2011

A CRUEL JOKE WITH COL & BRIG 6th PAY COMMISION AND ONE RANK ONE PENSION SANCTION

IN INITIAL STAGES OF 6th PAY COMMISSION FORMULATIONGOVERNMENT & SERVICES CHIEF WERE BENT UPON TO GIVEBETTER BENEFITS TO COL & BRIG. IT WAS THEIR SINCERE EFFORT TO RESTORE IMAGE & BENEFITS TO COL & BRIG.THE 6th PAY COMMISSION [ BY MISTAKE /OR OTHERWISE] GAVE BENEFITS TO Lt COL & THEIR EQUALS [PAY BAND-3]. HENCE COL/BRIG WAS PUT ON BACK FOOT AGAIN.LATER ON MAJ GEN/LT GEN PAY/PENSION WAS ENHANCED, BUT COL/BRIG AGAIN FORGOTTENAFTER SOME TIME LT COL WERE PUT ON PAY BAND-4.AT THIS STAGE AGAIN COL/BRIG FORGOTTENTO ADD FURTHER A DIG WAS ONE TIME JUNIOR TO COL HASBEEN PUT AT PAR WITH BRIG. [IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT POLICE HAS GONE ONE RANK UP ALREADY DURING COAS MALHOTRA TIME.HE DID HIS BEST TO REVERSE POLICE ACTION, BUT COULD NOT DO SO & DID NOT UPGRADE RANK OF HIS FORCES.TO-DAY BRIG EQUAL IS ONLY DIG IN INTER-SE SENIORITY THUS THE BRIG RANK HAS BECOME DEFUNCT FOR GOVT AND COL HAS BECOME JUNIOR TO DIG. 7. IN ONE RANK ONE PENSION CASE Majors and Maj Gen will be the ones who will get the max benefit, being at The top of PB3 and PB4 respectively (just like S-28/29 Scale Officers are at The top of PB4). LT COL [TS]/SELECTION] HAVE GOT TREMENDOUS JUMP IN 6th PAY COMMISSION & FURTHER UP NOW MOVED TO BAND-4 [BALLE BALLE HO GAI]8. COL/BRIG CASE FUERTHER WENT DOWN.ALL THE EFFORT OF GOVT/SERVICES CHIEF TO GIVE BENEFIT TO COL/BRIG HAS GONE IN REVERSE GEAR.9. SUPREME COURT HAS ORDERED AFTER 6th PAY COMMISSION TO HAVE SEPRATE PAY COMMISSION FOR COL/BRIG, BUT THEIR SEEMS TO BE NO HEAD WAY.10, COL/BRIG ARE IN FORE FRONT DURING PEACE/WAR AND WITH DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH MEN.COL/BRIG IS A KING PIN BETWEEN TROOPS & HIGHER UPS.KINDLY DONOT LOWER MORALE OF LEADER IN ACTUALFRONT.